The Estadio de la Cerámica, home of the Yellow Submarine since its beginnings, is full of unique features that make it a true reference point in the world of football.
The Estadio de la Cerámica is not just the home of Villarreal CF it is a historic ground with its own identity and unique features that make it one of a kind in Spanish football.
Inaugurated in 1923, it is one of only three professional football stadiums in Spain that still stands on its original site, alongside El Molinón (Sporting de Gijón) and Mestalla (Valencia CF).
It has hosted three matches featuring the Spanish national team:
- Spain 9-0 San Marino (1999, Euro 2000 qualifier)
- Spain 3-0 Chile (2008, friendly)
- Spain 1-1 Switzerland (2018, friendly)
Since its inauguration, the stadium has had three official names: Campo del Villarreal (1923–1925), El Madrigal (1925–2017), and its current name, Estadio de la Cerámica, which pays tribute to one of the city’s main economic driving forces.
Among its most distinctive curiosities, it stands out as the only stadium in Spain where club boards watch the match from separate areas, and for having dugouts built into the stands — a truly English-style feature. In the home dressing room, there is an image of Vila-real’s patron saint, Sant Pascual, while the away dressing room includes 13 showers — a symbolic detail.
The away stand, which reaches 43 metres in height, is located at the second-highest point in the city, only behind the 48-metre-tall Basilica of Sant Pascual.
A state of the art stadium
A pioneer in energy innovation, the current Estadio de la Cerámica features photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the North Stand, with over 1,060 solar panels covering a surface area of 3,200 square metres. This way, the Yellow Submarine captures solar energy and reuses it for the stadium’s own consumption.
In sporting terms, Villarreal CF was also one of the first clubs to use a hybrid pitch at its ground, combining artificial fibres with natural grass to optimise durability and quality.
Local spirit, modernity and tradition come together in a stadium that reflects the identity of Villarreal CF and the club’s ongoing growth.
